NYT: Trump Agrees to Longer Timetable for Troop Withdrawal from Syria

President Donald Trump late last week told the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria that he could have several months to pull 2,000 troops out of Syria, backtracking on his initial order for a full and rapid withdrawal within 30 days, The New York Times reports.

The report came after Trump tweeted that “we’re slowly sending out troops back home.”

U.S. officials told the Times the conversation between Trump and Lt. Gen. Paul J. LaCamera took place during the president’s surprise trip to Iraq. Trump later reassured Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., that he was committed to a smart Syria withdrawal.

"We've been fighting for a long time in Syria," Trump said at the time. "I've been president for almost two years, and we've really stepped it up. And we've won against ISIS. We've beaten them, and we've beaten them badly. And now it's time for our troops to come back home."

Graham, who had lunch with Trump on Sunday, said: "I think the president's very committed to making sure that when we leave Syria, that ISIS is completely defeated."

Military planners say four months is necessary to carry out an orderly withdrawal, per the Times.

President Donald Trump late last week told the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria that he could have several months to pull 2,000 troops out of Syria, backtracking on his initial order for a full and rapid withdrawal within 30 days, The New York Times reports.The...